Classes
Wind Energy Museum Trip
On our trip to the Wind Energy museum, we experimented with changing the number of blades to generate electricity from a wind turbine; tried out alternative power – elastic bands to turn blades to run cars and wind power to fly kites.
Herons’ History
We have found out how important the rivers were to Norfolk in the past as transport routes were very poor with marshy ground and not many roads and no trains at first. We found out about trading wherries that then became part of the tourist industry. We were treated to a visit by the Norfolk Wherry Trust who look after Albion, one of the last trading wherries. They sang wherry shanties and told us about life aboard a wherry a hundred years ago. We used photographs to find out more evidence about the Norfolk broads in the past.
Herons’ Maths
We are always finding new ways to learn our times tables- this one is called Splat! Using metre sticks makes it even noisier and more fun. Â
Herons’ Geography
Linked to our science and history, we visited the Wind Energy Museum which showed how the Norfolk Broads were drained using different sorts of pumps as so much of our land here is below the river level. Wind energy and later developments have enabled landuse to change from marsh to farmland. We have learnt about the importance of the rivers in the past as a transport network (see history). We walked from the museum along the river to see the marsh, river, drainage ditches and farmland until we reached Thurme Mill, one of the last working windpumps in Norfolk. We watched the sails turn the cogs to pump the water into the river.
Herons Art and Technology
After our visit to the Wind Energy Museum, we investigated wind power and forces such as air resistance and gravity  in science, then  tried out making several types of kites, before designing and making our own.
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Herons Core Values
During forest schools, we foster co operation, compassion, trust and respect for each other and our environment. We enjoy creating different “restaurant” dens together, shelters for the homeless, hotels and even cinemas amongst the trees in our school grounds.
We have also marvelled at nature – how can conkers be such different sizes.
and the power of nature- on windy days we like to try and fly with giant tarpaulins and on wet days, slide down the mound, always taking care of ourselves and each other.
As the days get colder, you can’t beat a good fire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Herons Maths
We have worked hard on expanding our knowledge of decimals and fractions, including converting cm to mm.
The measurements resulted in spirals.
Herons RE
We have created zig zag books to re-tell the Creation story using alliteration and as many adjectives as we can and then linked it to our colour-mixing skills with watercolours. We continue to ponder over the power of God and the beauty of the Earth.
Herons Science
We have been exploring pre- history to find out about how the fossil record millions of years ago can explain changes in climate and evolution.
We have made our own fossils from by casting plaster of paris in moulds of seashells pressed into clay.
We had to be paleantologists and “dig out” the fossils we had made from the clay using tools and toothbrushes!
We have investigated different rock characteristics- some rocks are permeable and absorb water.
